Arashiyama Resort @ Kyoto

Just to share with all of you one of my most memorable trip in Kyoto. I visited this Arashiyama Resort at Kyoto in 17 October 2009.........

Arashiyama is a pleasant, tourist district at the outskirts of Kyoto. Its landmark is the wooden (now partially concrete) Togetsukyo Bridge with forested Mount Arashiyama as backdrop.

There are many things to see and do in the Arashiyama area. Tenryji, a leading Zen temple, shops, cafes and restaurants are found in the district's busy center around Togetsukyo Bridge and Keifuku Arashiyama Station.

North of the central area, there are bamboo groves and a residential district with several small temples, scattered along the base of the wooded mountains. The area with its rural feel is best explored on foot, by rental bicycle (around 700 Yen per day) or on a rickshaw (around 8000 Yen for 30 minutes and 2 persons).

Another pleasant thing to do is taking a two hour boat tour down Hozu River. The river flows through an idyllic, forested valley before reaching urban Kyoto at the Togetsukyo Bridge. Alternatively, you can enjoy views of the valley from the Sagano Romantic Train.

Arashiyama is particularly beautiful and busy during the cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons.

Near the edge of the mountains this location is often missed by most foreign visitors. It offers more scenic views and well worth a trip.

A 40 minutes bus trip, service No 28, from Kyoto Central Station to Arashiyama cost 240 yen.

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Kyoto Hongwan-ji 本願寺

Hongwan-ji Temple was originally founded in the 13th century by Shinran Shonin (1173-1262), founder of the Hongwan-ji Shin Buddhist sect. Initially located in Kyoto's Higashiyama area, the temple was subsequently moved to a succession of locations, finally finding a home at its present site in 1591 when feudal lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi gave land to the temple.　The temple buildings were arranged immediately after the move, and by 1633 the complex was configured as it is today. It features many architectural treasures which convey the culture of the Momoyama period, including the Shoin (study) chambers, the Hiunkaku (Flying Cloud Pavilion), and the Karamon (Chinese-style) gate.

Hongwan-ji has been designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

Opening hours: 5.30am-5.30pm (6pm May-Aug) daily

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KYOTO : Honganji Temples

Nishi Honganji and Higashi Honganji are two large temples in the center of Kyoto. As headquarters of the two factions of Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land Sect), one of Japan's largest Buddhist sects, they are a place to experience a certain atmosphere of contemporary Japanese Buddhism.

Nishi Honganji (West Honganji) was built in 1591 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, after the former Ishiyama Honganji in Osaka had been destroyed by Oda Nobunaga. Nishi Honganji is the head temple of the Honganji faction of Jodo-Shin Buddhism with over 10,000 subtemples across the country and 200 temples overseas.
Nishi Honganji houses several national treasures, has been designated an UNESCO world heritage site and is considered the more spectacular of the two Honganji temples. A recent renovation of the main hall was completed in late 2008.

Main hall of the Higashi Honganji
(before start of renovation works)
Higashi Honganji (East Honganji) was built only eleven years after and a few steps east of Nishi Honganji as the head temple of the Otani faction. Its main hall is Kyoto's largest wooden structure,

How to get there :
The Honganji temples are located a 10 minute walk north of Kyoto Station.

Opening hours and fees
Nishi Honganji
Hours: 5:30 to 17:30 (March, April, September, October)
5:30 to 18:00 (May to August)
6:00 to 17:00 (November to February)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: Free

Higashi Honganji
Hours: 5:50 to 17:30 (March to October)
6:20 to 16:30 (November to February)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: Free

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KYOTO : Toji Temple

Toji (means "Eastern Temple") was founded as the city's guardian temple in the year 794, the same year in which Kyoto became Japan's new capital.

Toji is well known for its five storied pagoda, Japan's tallest with a height of 57 meters, and the Buddhist sculptures that are displayed in the temple's large main hall (kondo) and lecture hall (kodo). Toji is one of Kyoto's many UNESCO world heritage sites.

On the 21st of each month, a lively flea market is held around Toji from the early morning hours until around 16:30 in the afternoon. Various goods including clothes, shoes, tableware, sculptures, foods and plants are on sale.

How to get there :
Unlike most other of Kyoto's attractions, Toji is located south of Kyoto Station. From the station, it can be reached in a 10-15 minute walk.

Opening hours and fees
Hours: 9:00 to 17:30 (until 16:30 from mid September to mid March)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 500 yen

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KYOTO : Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)

Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) is a Zen temple formally known as Rokuonji.

In 1397 construction started on the Golden Pavilion as part of a new residence for the retired shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Kinkakuji was converted into a Zen temple after Yoshimitsu's death in 1408.

The Golden Pavilion functions as shariden, housing sacred relics of the Buddha and is covered in gold leaf. The present building dates from 1955 as the pavilion was burnt by a fanatic monk in 1950.

How to get there:
Kinkakuji can be accessed by direct bus number 101 or 205 from Kyoto Station. A faster variant is taking the Karasuma Subway Line to Kitaoji Station from where the temple can be reached in a short bus or taxi ride.

Opening hours and fees
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 400 yen

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KYOTO : Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle (Nijojo) was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Edo Shogunate, as the Kyoto residence for himself and his successors. The palace building, now known as Ninomaru ("secondary castle"), was completed in 1603 and enlarged by Ieyasu's grandson Iemitsu. It survives in its original form and is famous for its Momoyama architecture, decorated sliding doors and floors that squeak like nightingales when someone walks on them (a security measure against intruders).

Iemitsu also added the Honmaru ("main castle") including a five storied castle tower to Nijo Castle. However, the original honmaru structures were destroyed by fires in the 18th century, and the present building was moved there from the Imperial Palace in 1893.

Nijo Castle is one of Kyoto's many UNESCO world heritage sites.

How to get there:
Nijo Castle is most easily accessed from Nijojo-mae Station on the Tozai Subway Line. From Kyoto Station, take the Karasuma Subway Line to Karasuma Oike Station and transfer to the Tozai Line. The whole trip from Kyoto Station takes about 15-20 minutes.

Opening hours and fees
Hours: 8:45 to 17:00 (admission until 16:00).
Closed: Tuesdays (Wednesday if Tuesday falls on a national holiday) during January, July, August and December
December 26 to January 4
Admission: 600 yen

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